The Secretary of the Defence Ministry Karunasena Hettiarachchi says that attention has been drawn to the request made by a group of new MPs who want to use pistols for their personal security instead of revolvers.

He told our news team that several discussions are scheduled to be held with regard to the matter.

61 new MPs were elected during the last General Election, and 35 out of them have requested firearms for their personal safety.

They have requested the Parliament Service Bureau to issue them 9 milli meter pistols in the range of nine millimeters, instead providing them with revolvers.

Meanwhile, the new MPs are scheduled to undertake training on how to use firearms at the Police Special Task Force Training School in Katukurunda.

Accordingly, the Defence Ministry has informed the Secretary General of Parliament to enroll the new parliamentarians for a training in firearm usage.